Be Righteous in the Dark

Brigham Young once said, “We need to learn to be righteous in the dark.”

There are a couple of ways I look at this. One, is with to be without sight. It is difficult to be blind. I know this first hand. Yet, I don’t believe that is the type of “dark” he was referring to.

Sin is a form of darkness. I know that when I was living in sin, I hated it. I did not like myself, and had no great love for those whom I was with; those who seemed to enjoy what was being done. I cared about them, but when I would say things like, “I don’t think we should be doing this.” I was laughed at and made to believe that I was wrong. I was not good enough to be “good” yet not bad enough to be “bad”. It was very frustrating.

We are surrounded by the dark. Not just what happens after the sun goes down, but even while the sun is up in the sky. It was then and is now- very dark and growing ever darker.

One day, I was in the bathroom and thought, “I don’t want to do this anymore.” There came a thought into my mind, “You don’t have to.” I decided right then, I was not going to do those things any more. I felt, even if they kill me, I will not do those things anymore and I didn’t.

There have been times since then I wished my life had been different, but through it all, I can say, “I never did those things again and I like myself. It matters not rather others like me or not. I can live with myself, which was hard for me to do growing up. Do you like yourself?

Yesterday, I watched a movie from the early 1960’s. It was a classic with Henry Fonda. I could not finish watching it. You might ask why? It was not even p.g. rated (No sex, violence, curse words, etc). What I saw and felt as I watched it surprised even me. I learned that “I” had learned how to be righteous in the dark.

In that movie, there was a young woman working at a store selling clothing and two people came in and sort of “took her under their wings” to “help” her. They appeared to be very rich people and bought her nice clothes and took her to a fancy party. They encouraged her and gave her money, which she and her roommate had very little of.

I know that is how Satan and those who follow him work. They give the appearance of doing something good for someone, yet it is all for show. They really care less about the other person, but rather they use that person to get what they want.

In the movie, they convinced the girl that she could help them get rich, have luxury, and be happier than she ever dreamed possible. At first, she refused and tried to leave, but they managed to convince her it was no crime. All she had to do what just be a “pretty” girl and then get “rich” men to give her “gifts”, or keep them distracted while they did what they knew how to do.

Let me share with you that this is a “combination” that has been used since time began. There are three ways that Satan works. I have seen them all, up close and personal. One: Pleasure and pain. Two: Enticement and lies. Three: Wealth and murder. (This is not just murder of the body but rather murder of virtue, spirit, and truth) They teach that good is evil and evil is better than good.

That is a knockout punch, wouldn’t you agree?

It has been well over 60 years since I was introduced to these “combinations” and they are still in force today. But now it is so ingrained in society that most people cannot see it for what it really is.

About 20 some years ago a woman shared a story about chocolate chip cookies. She described this combination in words that were simple for people to understand, yet I’m sorry to say most people just thought it was cute “fairy tale”. They did not see the danger in a “little” chocolate.

Brothers and sisters: That story was not about a fairy tale, nor are the combinations that Lucifer would have you adult’s ingest a joke. Most of you were brought up watching Television. Slowly, over time evil was introduced in such a way, that you never knew you were being polluted. You still find those things fun and funny, after all, there is no sex, violence or whatever. But let me warn you, Satan knew exactly what he was doing. He would never give you what it really is up front.

God and those who follow Him give you truth up front. God’s truth is plain, clear, and up front. He has given us greater truth than He gave your ancestors. Prophets = Living prophets have tried to share God’s truth for thousands of years. Today, we have living prophets among us again. Yet, they are speaking, and many ignore what they are saying. How sad is that?

God’s truths were polluted over time until people stopped listening to the real prophets that Father keeps sending to warn us and teach us how to be careful. People tend to pick and choose which things they want to do and not do. Please, think about what you decided you did not want to hear or live.

The moment you stopped doing what the prophets counseled, was when you drew closer to the dividing line. When we don’t follow the counsel of the prophets we stop being safe. Don’t think for a second that you will wait until the last minute and then your friends can save you. That is one of Satan’s lies.

A storm is coming, brothers and sisters. A storm like no other you have seen. I do pray you are standing on Hallowed Ground. Until we meet again, may God be with you.